drawbacks of cutting front springs
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NPR FLA
drawbacks of cutting front springs
I'm getting ready to buy some new springs for the front and was told by another L owner that he cut his factory springs and changed the cam bolts.
(seems to be the cheaper route)
Are there integrity/stability issues with doing that? I know I saw this before, but when I searched, I couldn't find it.
Maybe Tim, Don, or one of you other experts have some knowledge to share.
dogg
(seems to be the cheaper route)
Are there integrity/stability issues with doing that? I know I saw this before, but when I searched, I couldn't find it.
Maybe Tim, Don, or one of you other experts have some knowledge to share.
dogg
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 297
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From: TX
Cutting springs can be bad in two situations.
1. If you have progressive rate springs. We do not, ours are linear.
2. If you use a torch instead of a cutoff wheel to do the cutting you can ruin the spring by exposing it to too much heat. Use a cutoff wheel and you've got nothing to worry about.
1. If you have progressive rate springs. We do not, ours are linear.
2. If you use a torch instead of a cutoff wheel to do the cutting you can ruin the spring by exposing it to too much heat. Use a cutoff wheel and you've got nothing to worry about.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,928
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From: The People's Republic of Los Angeles
What bootbox said is 100%.
In a pinch, you can also use a cutting torch or plasma cutter, but move quickly so as to not heat up the spring too much. Also, let the spring cool naturally (don't use a quench tank).
Also remember that the front suspension arms have about a 1.7:1 ratio, so if you want a 1" drop, only cut about .6" off.
Also, if you leave off the stock rubber isolator, you will get maybe 1/2 to 3/4drop right there without cutting anything. On the other side of the equation, you can add a thin urethane isolator if you cut off too much.
spring spacers
In a pinch, you can also use a cutting torch or plasma cutter, but move quickly so as to not heat up the spring too much. Also, let the spring cool naturally (don't use a quench tank).
Also remember that the front suspension arms have about a 1.7:1 ratio, so if you want a 1" drop, only cut about .6" off.
Also, if you leave off the stock rubber isolator, you will get maybe 1/2 to 3/4drop right there without cutting anything. On the other side of the equation, you can add a thin urethane isolator if you cut off too much.
spring spacers